Peace Development Fund to Host Grassroots Gala Published on January 21, 2025

Holyoke, MA – The Peace Development Fund announced their inaugural Grassroots Gala, a fundraising event to recognize community organizers working for social justice both locally and nationally. The event will take place on January 30th from 5:30-8pm at Fame Eatery located at 386 Dwight St. in Holyoke.  The MC’s for the evening are Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith from the Fabulous 413, adaily afternoon radio show celebrating life in Western Massachusetts.  Monte founded Monte’s March 15 years ago to raise funds and awareness of hunger in the region. 

The event will feature PDF’s Truth Awards honoring the individuals and organizations that are tenacious community and movement builders extending Sojourner Truth’s legacy to current intersectional struggles for social justice. Springfield-based Springfield No One Leaves is the recipient of the 2024 Truth Organization of the Year award. 

• Legacy Award: This award honors the lifelong dedication of a social justice champion. This year it will be presented to Paul Haible, longtime public foundation leader and former PDF Executive Director. 
• Organization Award: This award recognizes an organization that demonstrates exceptional momentum and effectiveness in tackling crucial social issues. The recipient is Springfield No One Leaves known for their work on housing justice. 
• Organizer Award: This award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to advancing social justice and equity in their community. It will be presented to Aramis Sundiata, a dedicated activist who has worked to reform the criminal justice system and state sponsored violence through grassroots organizing. 

The Gala will also mark the official launch of the Land Justice Fund, a new fund dedicated to supporting land back, land restoration, and cultural connection for Indigenous communities. This fund continues PDF’s decades of work for Indigenous sovereignty. 

More information about the event and ticket purchases can be found at bit.ly/PDFGala 

The Peace Development Fund works to build the capacity of community-based organizations through grants, training, and other resources as partners in human rights and social justice movements. As a public foundation, we foster and encourage the diverse, self-sustaining, and economically viable communities that are essential to building a peaceful and equitable world.